New Balance 860v4 - Men’s

The Basics

Runner’s World Review

The 860 is an Adrenaline for New Balance-wearers. The shoe has a great balance of cushioning and support, the latter coming by way of a soft crash pad on the outer edge of the shoe and a firmer wedge of foam under the arch. This update gets a new arrangement of rubber on the outsole, though its placement may have impacted forefoot flexibility. The 860 registered the stiffest shoe in our 2013 Winter Shoe Guide in mechanical testing at the RW Shoe Lab.Bottom Line: Surprising amount of cushioning and stability in a 10.6-ounce package.

Runner’s World Wear Testers Say

"My legs did not get tired when running, which indicates that the cushioning was sufficient for my weight."—Kurt Lake, East Lansing, Mich.

"The New Balance 860 was everything I wanted in a shoe. Comfort, durability, and style were supreme. These shoes made my 10-to-12-mile runs very pleasant and manageable."—Cheryl Miller, East Lansing, Mich.

"Supportive and lighter than other shoes I've worn. It definitely felt springy to me."—Kristen Calabrese, East Lansing, Mich.

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All the Stats You Need!

Weight: Heavy | 10.6 oz

Heel-To-Toe-Drop: High | 11.3 mm

Heel Height: Very High | 35.9 mm

Heel Cushioning: Soft

Forefoot Height: High | 24.6 mm

Forefoot Cushioning: Moderate

Flexibility: Stiff

Stability Features: Most

Energy Return: Least

We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective — and exclusive — data. In addition to a shoe's weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe.

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